Better World Books Gift Card / Used Book Collection vs ThriftBooks Gift Card & Used Book Selection

Overview

Both Better World Books and ThriftBooks offer gift cards that unlock a curated selection of used books, earning identical ethics scores of 92/100 and price ratings of $. Each company holds B Corp certification and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification, making them strong contenders for eco-conscious and socially responsible shoppers. However, subtle differences in their operational priorities and impact areas may guide your choice.

Ethics diff

While both share the same ethics score and certifications, Better World Books emphasizes literacy programs, donating books and funding education initiatives worldwide. Their model also focuses on reducing landfill waste by rescuing books from libraries and donations. ThriftBooks, meanwhile, leans heavily on circular economy principles with a vast inventory of pre-owned books, but their charitable partnerships are less transparent. The B Corp and FSC certifications for both ensure sustainable sourcing and ethical business practices, but Better World Books has a stronger track record of measurable social impact.

Everyday use

Both gift cards are digital and easy to redeem, offering similar pricing on used books. Better World Books often highlights free shipping on most orders, while ThriftBooks may have thresholds for free delivery. ThriftBooks generally boasts a larger selection of titles, including rarer finds, while Better World Books’ inventory is robust but slightly smaller. For a typical user, the choice may come down to wanting to support literacy programs (Better World Books) versus maximizing variety and availability (ThriftBooks).

Value

At the price point of $, both gift cards offer excellent value compared to retail new books. Used books from either platform are typically 50-70% cheaper than new. However, Better World Books’ social mission adds non-monetary value—each purchase indirectly funds global literacy. ThriftBooks offers value through sheer volume and consistency of condition grading, but without the same direct charity linkage. For ethical shoppers, the dollar cost is similar, but the “impact cost” is lower for Better World Books.

Bottom line

This is a very close call, but Better World Books edges ahead due to its explicit commitment to literacy and transparent impact reporting. Both are excellent ethical options, but if your goal is to maximize social good beyond environmental sustainability, choose Better World Books.